NEW YORK -- The Astros activated infielder/outfielder Jesus Guzman from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and placed left-handed reliever Darin Downs on the DL with a right oblique strain. The Downs move is retroactive to Friday.

Guzman, who was out with back spasms, went 8-for-13 with three doubles and five RBIs in a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City. In 60 games with the Astros this year, he's hitting .200 with two homers and eight RBIs.

Downs threw one-third of an inning Thursday in Boston, giving up a run. The injury isn't expected to keep him out an extended amount of time, but the Astros didn't want to be short-handed, so they put him on the DL. Downs is 2-1 with a 4.31 ERA in 40 games with the Astros this year.

"I think it's minor, but I don't think we can take the chance of waiting day by day to see how it's going to respond," manager Bo Porter said. "With September [and roster callups] being so close and not wanting to be short from a position-player standpoint, it made sense to get Guzman back, and he's playing well down there. "

Meanwhile, outfielder Alex Presley, who's been on the disabled list since straining his oblique on July 8, rejoined the team in New York but hasn't been activated. He was on a rehab assignment at Rookie league Tri-City and suffered a setback on Saturday. He says he's day to day at this point.

"It was one of those situations you can't really prepare for in the cage," he said. "Games are different than practice, you know? It didn't react how I had hoped. You don't know until you get out there. That's kind of where we're at right now. I want to settle it back down and go from there."